[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Adams County 1-15-2013 by Ord. No. 01-2013. Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A marked corridor on public property or on private lands
subject to public easement or lease designated for use by snowmobile
operators by the Adams County Administrative and Finance Committee,
the government agency having jurisdiction, but excluding highways
except those highways on which the roadway is not normally maintained
for other vehicular traffic by the removal of snow.[1]
As defined in § 340.01(58a), Wis. Stats., an engine-driven
vehicle that is manufactured solely for snowmobiling, that has an
endless belt tread and sled-type runners, or skis, to be used in contact
with snow but does not include such a vehicle that is any of the following:
The person so designated by resolution to act on behalf of
Adams County Board of Supervisors, under the direction of the Adams
County Administrative and Finance Committee, to submit application
to the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for such
financial aid as may be available and sign documents, and take necessary
action to undertake, direct, and complete the Adams County Snowmobile
Trail Plan with regard to the safety and welfare of all snowmobilers.
A highway or sidewalk designated for use by snowmobile operators
by the governmental agency having jurisdiction and signed in compliance
with § 350.13, Wis. Stats.
B.
No person shall drive a snowmobile at a speed in excess of 15 miles
per hour when the trail is posted "Dip," "Turn," "Slow," "Steep Hill"
or other caution signs.
C.
Restricted speeds. It shall be unlawful to operate a snowmobile on
any approved snowmobile trail, established by the Adams County Administrative
and Finance Committee, at a speed in excess of the posted limit. The
Administrative and Finance Committee shall determine the speed limits
to be posted based on information received by the Restricted Speeds
Council consisting of Adams County's Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile
Clubs (AWSC) Director, Sheriff's Office Recreational Officer, and
County Snowmobile Coordinator.
A.
Only snowmobiles having the meaning designated in § 340.01(58a),
Wis. Stats., are allowed on approved County-sponsored and/or state-funded
snowmobile trails for public snowmobiling between the dates of December
5 and April 1 of each year. Opening and closing dates other than listed
above may be approved by the Adams County Snowmobile Coordinator with
twelve-hour public notification by the Adams County Snowmobile Coordinator
or designee.
(1)
Landowners whose property is traversed by a County snowmobile trail
are exempt from the above requirements on their own property. It is
further recommended, if landowners are using the trail which traverses
their property for their livelihood, that the landowners immediately
contact the snowmobile club responsible for maintenance of the trail
segment to correct any unsafe trail conditions.[1]
B.
Exceptions.
(1)
Snowmobile club members are authorized to use vehicles, tractors,
etc., on approved trails between April 1 and December 5 while performing
maintenance work and signing of approved trails only for which they
are responsible to maintain.
(2)
Emergency equipment usage by trail maintenance crews to correct unsafe
trail conditions is allowed on approved trails between December 5
and April 1.
(3)
Trail grooming equipment as authorized by the Governor's Snowmobile
Recreation Council will be allowed on approved trails between December
1 and April 1.
C.
Unauthorized abandoned vehicle(s) or snowmobiles on any approved
snowmobile trail shall be towed away at the owner's expense and impounded
by the Adams County Sheriff's Office within 24 hours.
D.
No person shall deface, destroy, or remove any snowmobile trail sign
posted on any approved snowmobile trails, other than the property
owner who may remove any of his personal property which the trail
is located on.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, the
statutory provisions describing and defining regulations with respect
to snowmobiles in Chapters 346 and 350 of the Wisconsin Statutes are
adopted by reference and made part of this chapter as if fully set
forth herein. Acts required to be performed or prohibited by such
statutes are required or prohibited by this chapter. Any future amendments,
revisions, or modifications of the herein adopted and incorporated
statutory provisions are intended to be made part of this chapter.
A.
The penalty
for violation of any provision of this chapter shall be a forfeiture
as hereinafter provided together with costs under Ch. 345, Wis. Stats.
B.
Any person,
firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter
shall, upon conviction, forfeit not less than $25 nor more than $450
for each offense, together with the costs of prosecution and restitution
of property, trail, or sign damage, and in default of payment of such
forfeiture and costs shall be imprisoned in the County jail until
the same are paid, for a period of time not to exceed 90 days, or
until otherwise discharged pursuant to law.
C.
State statutes.
Forfeiture for violation of any statute adopted by reference hereunder
for which the penalty is a fine shall not exceed the maximum fine
permitted under such statute.
Special exceptions of any section of this chapter may be granted
by prior approval of the Adams County Administrative and Finance Committee
at a public posted meeting.
